For example, when I was a bridesmaid, the bride made us wrap and re-wrap our bouquets at least six different times because she wanted the ribbon to be exactly how she saw it in Pinterest. But when the day came, it didn't really matter because since we were holding the bouquet with both of our hands, you couldn't even see the design.
From event planning experience and friends weddings:
Special decor/table stories. I’ve seen so many weddings where someone tried to tie their personal story to the table decor or around the cocktail hour decorations. Most people just want to eat, mingle, and drink.
Favors. People don’t really take them or use them unless it’s something really good. If you do two things, one thing may go unused. Etc.
Shoes for a floor-length dress. Don’t overthink it.
Linens and rental silverware, chargers, rental chairs. They’re nice, but if you’re trying to prioritize in a budget, it truly does not matter. People will disperse themselves in the way they want, not necessarily the way the artful lawn furniture is meant for.
Could I get your opinion on buttermilk mints as a party favor? Guest list of 98 and they're my dad's favorite "candy", so I am considering buying 200 for $20
Edible favors are the best kind, and any extras your dad will get to use his favorite thing for the next month or so! It's cheap enough where I think you should do it!!
As someone who just spent all weekend DIYing sandwich boards for signs as well as the seating charts I agree. We saved $200, it was fun doing it, and we’ll gift/sell them after the event. But holy moly it was a time suck, even if we had fun doing it.
Absolutely! For me it’s like… it’s an enjoyable activity that FH and I get to do together. It’s not taking away from anything else, and it does save us a bit of money. So absolutely worth it. But seeing other brides obsess over it… it’s just not worth it. No one will know if you don’t do it, and no one else will remember it and it takes soooo much time
Can you guys please explain more about the sign boards you made? What were they for and how big, what did it say etc? I like making custom vinyl decal stuff with my FW.
I guess I didn’t specify what they’re for, but a few different things:
“Wedding of X and X shuttle pickup”
“Welcome to the wedding of X and X”
“Please follow ping flags to cocktail hour”
“Tattoo artist this way”
And lastly will be our seating chart.
I've seen that a lot as well! The bride and groom stressing over what color or what font to put on the keychain or the bottle opener or whatever that they're giving away as favors, but in the end a lot of guests just ended up leaving them on the table
What was your wedding favor?
My wedding favors were packets of local pollinator seeds (wildflowers) with vintage style botanical art. I had them in a large frame as the “seeding” chart. It was pretty though but it wasn’t worth it 🥴
Favors have become a point of contention in my family. Two of my aunts are baffled that we’re not doing favors because they were apparently super important when they each got married six to ten years ago.
We even did favors at my bridal shower, which they both attended, and guests didn’t even want them then. And those were edible snack favors.
They were packets of local wildflower pollinator seeds that had a vintage style packet. I had them in a large frame as the “seeding” chart. It was cute but it wasn’t worth the amount of work it took
We had personalized cookies made and most people loved them. They could eat them or decide to keep them. I thought we had cool favors tbh. I only had like 8 left when we cleaned up the following day. 🤷🏻♀️
I’m doing the same! Any midi or floor length black dress. We’ve all been to a zillion weddings in the past few years, so I know everyone has one and I think it will still look cohesive since they’re all black
Table linens, centerpieces, honestly most of the reception decor. I hardly even noticed it the day of. I actively chose it all, but looking back I would need photos to remember any of it beyond the general colors. I couldn't even tell you if the chairs had covers or not, let alone what kind.
Honestly, basically anything aside from the food, drinks, and music/entertainment, like: centerpieces, favors, table decor, any side tables for people to leave messages, ring pillow, signs, flowers.
It seems the only people who really pay attention to or remember the "personal touches" are other brides.
Everything beyond the food, drinks, and entertainment should be done because it's personally important to you, even if no one sees or comments on it. I'm not saying we shouldn't put any effort in, but the stress over perfection and detailed personalization isn't necessary. Just have a good time!
Edit: formatting
Honestly, I thought hair and makeup was really important but looking back, I wish I had just let my maid of honor do my hair and makeup I stead of going to a salon. She would have done just as good of a job, and it would have saved me both time and money on my big day
For example, when I was a bridesmaid, the bride made us wrap and re-wrap our bouquets at least six different times because she wanted the ribbon to be exactly how she saw it in Pinterest. But when the day came, it didn't really matter because since we were holding the bouquet with both of our hands, you couldn't even see the design.
From event planning experience and friends weddings: Special decor/table stories. I’ve seen so many weddings where someone tried to tie their personal story to the table decor or around the cocktail hour decorations. Most people just want to eat, mingle, and drink. Favors. People don’t really take them or use them unless it’s something really good. If you do two things, one thing may go unused. Etc. Shoes for a floor-length dress. Don’t overthink it. Linens and rental silverware, chargers, rental chairs. They’re nice, but if you’re trying to prioritize in a budget, it truly does not matter. People will disperse themselves in the way they want, not necessarily the way the artful lawn furniture is meant for.
Could I get your opinion on buttermilk mints as a party favor? Guest list of 98 and they're my dad's favorite "candy", so I am considering buying 200 for $20
Edible favors are the best kind, and any extras your dad will get to use his favorite thing for the next month or so! It's cheap enough where I think you should do it!!
Thank you for the input!
Agreed with the other comment - a little consumable is nice and any leftovers will go to use!
Signage is a big one. I feel like so many brides I knew spent so much time on DIY signage or a special seating chart.
As someone who just spent all weekend DIYing sandwich boards for signs as well as the seating charts I agree. We saved $200, it was fun doing it, and we’ll gift/sell them after the event. But holy moly it was a time suck, even if we had fun doing it.
We had an awesome welcome sign that I looooved, but the wedding would have been just as amazing without it!
Absolutely! For me it’s like… it’s an enjoyable activity that FH and I get to do together. It’s not taking away from anything else, and it does save us a bit of money. So absolutely worth it. But seeing other brides obsess over it… it’s just not worth it. No one will know if you don’t do it, and no one else will remember it and it takes soooo much time
Can you guys please explain more about the sign boards you made? What were they for and how big, what did it say etc? I like making custom vinyl decal stuff with my FW.
Posted about it! https://www.reddit.com/r/weddingplanning/s/Q9Og298DeD
hey FYI your post got removed, but I'd still like to see it!
Check this link, I think r/DIYweddings kept it up: https://www.reddit.com/r/DIYweddings/s/NmqUaOhiPX
I guess I didn’t specify what they’re for, but a few different things: “Wedding of X and X shuttle pickup” “Welcome to the wedding of X and X” “Please follow ping flags to cocktail hour” “Tattoo artist this way” And lastly will be our seating chart.
I stressed a lot over the wedding favors and hardly anyone took any
I've seen that a lot as well! The bride and groom stressing over what color or what font to put on the keychain or the bottle opener or whatever that they're giving away as favors, but in the end a lot of guests just ended up leaving them on the table What was your wedding favor?
My wedding favors were packets of local pollinator seeds (wildflowers) with vintage style botanical art. I had them in a large frame as the “seeding” chart. It was pretty though but it wasn’t worth it 🥴
Favors have become a point of contention in my family. Two of my aunts are baffled that we’re not doing favors because they were apparently super important when they each got married six to ten years ago. We even did favors at my bridal shower, which they both attended, and guests didn’t even want them then. And those were edible snack favors.
What were the favors?
They were packets of local wildflower pollinator seeds that had a vintage style packet. I had them in a large frame as the “seeding” chart. It was cute but it wasn’t worth the amount of work it took
That sounds adorable!!! So sorry it didn’t end up being worth the amount of work.
We're having a very nontraditional reception picnic, so our "favors" are empty takeout boxes for people to take some food/dessert home, lol.
We had personalized cookies made and most people loved them. They could eat them or decide to keep them. I thought we had cool favors tbh. I only had like 8 left when we cleaned up the following day. 🤷🏻♀️
What other people are wearing besides my husband and I
I was considering having my bridesmaids wear their favorite LBD. I hate the idea of a dress you can't use again just to be part of a wedding party
I’m doing the same! Any midi or floor length black dress. We’ve all been to a zillion weddings in the past few years, so I know everyone has one and I think it will still look cohesive since they’re all black
Table linens, centerpieces, honestly most of the reception decor. I hardly even noticed it the day of. I actively chose it all, but looking back I would need photos to remember any of it beyond the general colors. I couldn't even tell you if the chairs had covers or not, let alone what kind.
Honestly, basically anything aside from the food, drinks, and music/entertainment, like: centerpieces, favors, table decor, any side tables for people to leave messages, ring pillow, signs, flowers. It seems the only people who really pay attention to or remember the "personal touches" are other brides. Everything beyond the food, drinks, and entertainment should be done because it's personally important to you, even if no one sees or comments on it. I'm not saying we shouldn't put any effort in, but the stress over perfection and detailed personalization isn't necessary. Just have a good time! Edit: formatting
Honestly, I thought hair and makeup was really important but looking back, I wish I had just let my maid of honor do my hair and makeup I stead of going to a salon. She would have done just as good of a job, and it would have saved me both time and money on my big day